Here is my "clutter" illustration, unfortunately I did not get it finished as quickly as I had planned. I wanted to post what I had before this week's topic changed. This piece was done with oil pastels which I haven't worked with since I was a child. It was definately a challenge, but something I think I would like to keep working with. Maybe I will make more time to clean out my cluttered pantry as well.

IF memories

I painted this for my husband's grandmother last Christmas. It is from a black and white photograph of her (in the yellow sweater) with her husband and parents in 1953. Because she was not expecting it, the painting definiately brought back memories of her family. I think it is amazing how photographs can preserve memories, especially when translated into more traditional forms of art. It was my first Christmas with my new family--I think I will be painting a lot more around the holidays!